Influence of heme propionates on the nitrite reductase activity of myoglobin

The heme propionates in myoglobin (Mb) form a H-bonding network among several residues within its second-sphere coordination, providing a key structural role towards Mb's functional properties. Our work aims to understand the role of the heme propionates on the nitrite reductase (NiR) activity (e.g. reduction of NO2− to NO) of this globin by studying an artificial dimethylester heme-substituted horse heart Mb (DME-Mb). The minor structural change brought about by esterification of the heme propionates causes the NiR rate to increase by more than over two-fold (5.6 ± 0.1 M−1 s−1) relative to wildtype (wt) Mb (2.3 ± 0.1 M−1 s−1). The lower pKa observed in DME-Mb may enhance the tendency of His64 towards protonation, therefore increasing the NiR rate. In addition, the nitrite binding constant (Knitrite) for DME-MbIII is greater than wt MbIII (350 M−1 versus 120 M−1). The disparity in the NiR activity correlates with the differences in electrostatic behavior, which influences the system's reactivity towards the approaching NO2− ion, and thus the formation of the FeII-NO2− intermediate.